Editor's Pick
JULY 24, 2009 11:51AM
Rate: 28
The original Calendar Girls. Tea, anyone?
Dame Helen Mirren did it. So did a small gaggle of other middle-aged British women. Remember the Rylstone Women's Institute 1999 calendar? Eleven women, ages 46 to 66, took off their clothes, kept the pearls and posed artfully in the nude to create the bestseller charity calendar. They've raised over 2M pounds (around $3M) for cancer research. Calendar Girls, starring Mirren, based on the popularity of the Rlystone calendar story, was a tribute to the women who happily posed in their middle-aged birthday suits for the sake of hope and charity. It was the beginning of something big. Others have tried it and succeeded, but nothing like these women from Rylstone.
A decade later, six Calendar Girls redux
Ten years later, six women from the original yo-yo sisterhood are gathering together once again, to bare it all for a new calendar to raise funds for cancer research. That, of course, is not without its own Peyton Place controversy since the other five are missing in action. The fame brought about rancor that eventually fractured the sisterhood. 
Hair Bares 2010, Katherine & Morag do each other's hair?
Now, another group of enterprising British women, Hair Bares 2010, are taking on the very same challenge this year. Meet the naked calendar girls of Alloa. These women are raising funds for victims of domestic violence. Over half of them had been victims themselves. The website gives you their story as well as some preview photos.The Hair Bares Calendar women approached a domestic violence organization, Scottish Women's Aid, ready to donate 600 pounds (almost $1000). The Alloa calendar sisterhood were completely gobsmacked when the agency turned down the proceeds. It seems the agency is a feminist organization and would not take funds from a group that promotes sex, as in naked
Does posing au natural mean you aren't a feminist?
Does selling a calendar of nude middle-aged women posing tastefully in a hair salon mean that you are selling sex?
If they wear shoes and pearls, are they really bare-naked?
Does the sisterhood need a new yo yo?
Comments
I thought this was more about OS in Vegas. Rated, btw.
Makes me think of the caption on a cartoon I saw awhile back, showing a customer in a bookstore having an exchange with a grumpy-looking female clerk: "This is a feminist bookstore. There IS no humor section."
Out here in West Marin, we had our own little nude calendar donnybrook a few years ago, which has since become known as the "war over peace." Shortly after the Iraq invasion, about 40 local women, roughly the same vintage as the Calendar Girls, went out to the beach and formed the word "peace" with their naked bodies (Pt Reyes....brrrrr.....), a scene that was then captured in an aerial shot by a prominent photographer from this area. The photo caught fire in the media and started appearing in newspapers as far away as Australia, and the gals decided to make a little money on a calendar and some notecards. That's when the copyright dispute arose between the women and the photographer. The whole thing ended up in court and I believe it was ultimately settled in the photographer's favor.
Out here in West Marin, we had our own little nude calendar donnybrook a few years ago, which has since become known as the "war over peace." Shortly after the Iraq invasion, about 40 local women, roughly the same vintage as the Calendar Girls, went out to the beach and formed the word "peace" with their naked bodies (Pt Reyes....brrrrr.....), a scene that was then captured in an aerial shot by a prominent photographer from this area. The photo caught fire in the media and started appearing in newspapers as far away as Australia, and the gals decided to make a little money on a calendar and some notecards. That's when the copyright dispute arose between the women and the photographer. The whole thing ended up in court and I believe it was ultimately settled in the photographer's favor.
Ehhhh....I'm of two minds about this calendar. On one hand, I'm not offended by it, and don't think that "I posed nude for a charity calendar" and "I'm a feminist" are mutually exclusive terms.
On the other hand, I'd be a little creeped out if one of my guy friends bought a nudie calendar whose schtick was that some of the women pictured therein were real-life domestic violence victims. Part of the appeal of charity cheesecake calendars (be they of nurses, stewardesses, firemen, Mormon missionaries, what-have-you) is the knowledge that the models therein really ARE nurses or stewardesses or firemen or Mormon missionaries or whatever in real life. If I knew someone had a bit of a nurse or stewardess fetish, I'd probably just groan and roll my eyes. If I knew that someone had a bit of a battered-woman fetish, on the other hand...
So I can understand the squickiness factor, and for me it doesn't have anything to do with the models' age or state of undress.
On the other hand, I'd be a little creeped out if one of my guy friends bought a nudie calendar whose schtick was that some of the women pictured therein were real-life domestic violence victims. Part of the appeal of charity cheesecake calendars (be they of nurses, stewardesses, firemen, Mormon missionaries, what-have-you) is the knowledge that the models therein really ARE nurses or stewardesses or firemen or Mormon missionaries or whatever in real life. If I knew someone had a bit of a nurse or stewardess fetish, I'd probably just groan and roll my eyes. If I knew that someone had a bit of a battered-woman fetish, on the other hand...
So I can understand the squickiness factor, and for me it doesn't have anything to do with the models' age or state of undress.
let's hear it for hot older women!
Look, the adsense is shy again. Must be the all tongue tied, poor thing.
Sheepy - sorry, a little further, across the pond. thanks though!
Laurel - I like that! The no humor section. So true. Why they would not take the money is just bizarre (to me). And yep, the Rylstone group friendship's fell into the toilet after their success. Interesting how that happens. I hope the Hair Bares group does well.
Leeandra - I get what you are saying. I can see that view too. I wouldn't want creepy guys buying those calendars either.
Cap'n - Absolutely! Thanks.
Sheepy - sorry, a little further, across the pond. thanks though!
Laurel - I like that! The no humor section. So true. Why they would not take the money is just bizarre (to me). And yep, the Rylstone group friendship's fell into the toilet after their success. Interesting how that happens. I hope the Hair Bares group does well.
Leeandra - I get what you are saying. I can see that view too. I wouldn't want creepy guys buying those calendars either.
Cap'n - Absolutely! Thanks.
um, I should proof my own comments....
I meant, the blog ads on the left are a little tongue tied when it comes to titles that hint of nudity or sex (it's blank). Google must have a giant filter.
I meant, the blog ads on the left are a little tongue tied when it comes to titles that hint of nudity or sex (it's blank). Google must have a giant filter.
Very interesting! Maybe it's something us old broads should consider here on OS if our new ads don't pan out.
I'd pose nude with them! Rated
We'd have taken it and thanked them profusely for it. The money that is, this domestic violence program is in grave dnger of foundering due to budget cuts.
I think it's a great idea, at least in theory. I saw Calendar Girls with the then hub. We both loved it....
My take on creepy guys having a thing for abused women. I thought said men liked taking strong women and subduing them, not women who have already been abused. And come back. ????? I don't know. Just a guess. I've not been abused by a man.
My take on creepy guys having a thing for abused women. I thought said men liked taking strong women and subduing them, not women who have already been abused. And come back. ????? I don't know. Just a guess. I've not been abused by a man.
I thought you said Nudity...not Stupidity. LOL...
And to think these women are my age...good God, strike me dead.
And to think these women are my age...good God, strike me dead.
@Hells Bells -- I'm in!
It is the age of the women that makes a difference much more than whether or not they are feminists. The women pictured are more advanced in age and as a result do not have the same visual appeal as women under the age of 35 do.
These pictures in particular have more than I am interested in seeing, and these are without showing nipples or in the middle below the waist from either side.
If the ones in these photos were younger, it wouldn't make one iota of difference to me whether or not they are feminists. Size doesn't matter, but in a case like this, age does.
These pictures in particular have more than I am interested in seeing, and these are without showing nipples or in the middle below the waist from either side.
If the ones in these photos were younger, it wouldn't make one iota of difference to me whether or not they are feminists. Size doesn't matter, but in a case like this, age does.
@IC London-- what? These women are awesome. Obviously they aren't going for the same magazine airbrushed plastic barbie look that sells store product, they are going for iconoclastic, fearless good old fashioned human fun trying to make dough for (& bring attention to) a good cause. It's kind of more cute than daring, anyway.
They're showing off and thoroughly enjoying the great variety with which nature graces the female body. What, are you one of those dudes that sneers at non-brazilian-waxed females as you pass them by in the street? I wouldn't begrudge anyone his or her taste, no matter the limitations- the human body is as naturally grotesque as it is beautiful- but I think you, like the dourest of "feminists," miss the point of their production.
They're showing off and thoroughly enjoying the great variety with which nature graces the female body. What, are you one of those dudes that sneers at non-brazilian-waxed females as you pass them by in the street? I wouldn't begrudge anyone his or her taste, no matter the limitations- the human body is as naturally grotesque as it is beautiful- but I think you, like the dourest of "feminists," miss the point of their production.
rated!
@h/b & laurel - count me in too, 'but we're going to need some bigger buns' :)
@h/b & laurel - count me in too, 'but we're going to need some bigger buns' :)
Is a woman wearing only pearls and shoes really naked? Stunningly so....xox
Nudity is not just for the young and anorectic. Good for them!
I didn't know that feminists were against sex. Guess I need to join a different group.
Hells Bells - funny! but seriously, when pigs fly. Still though. Funny!
Ralph - see above!
bobbot - that certainly is where the opinion is divided. many said the same as you did. hard enough to fund raise these days.
Annimal - Helen Mirren is wonderful! I think there are strange people out there in any venue, but I am guessing the calendar would be purchased by people who support the charity they are designating.
T.S. - older is the new sexy and smart and charming.
Phaedo - How about the shoes? I sort of have a thing for the hats too.
I.C. London - See Bananapie's comments. Wow.
Bananapie - I think we would all love to see a post from you - you do have a way with those words. Kind of like painting with words. Great response to IC's comment kiddo.
bah - thank you! I still say when pigs fly, but I would be happy to be the stylist. I know where we can get pearls. And hats!
Robin - perfectly said!
Steve - nude is in.
sweet - another perfect one! I like that. Thanks.
Ralph - see above!
bobbot - that certainly is where the opinion is divided. many said the same as you did. hard enough to fund raise these days.
Annimal - Helen Mirren is wonderful! I think there are strange people out there in any venue, but I am guessing the calendar would be purchased by people who support the charity they are designating.
T.S. - older is the new sexy and smart and charming.
Phaedo - How about the shoes? I sort of have a thing for the hats too.
I.C. London - See Bananapie's comments. Wow.
Bananapie - I think we would all love to see a post from you - you do have a way with those words. Kind of like painting with words. Great response to IC's comment kiddo.
bah - thank you! I still say when pigs fly, but I would be happy to be the stylist. I know where we can get pearls. And hats!
Robin - perfectly said!
Steve - nude is in.
sweet - another perfect one! I like that. Thanks.
Golden ladies RULE!!
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iclondon - I beg to differ. Don't confuse age with attractiveness (a malady peculiar to American men). Helen Mirren still looks bangin' in her bikini. So does Cher, for the matter. Of course celebrity examples aren't the only examples, and while in Vegas I saw a few women hovering around 60 that looked quite excellent in their bikinis, and I am a hard-nosed judge about such things, liking the aesthetics of the naked form as much as anyone else.
I don't understand men. You see a naked woman and find her unappealing because of her age - then DON'T LOOK. Why be such a fucking asshole about it?
I don't understand men. You see a naked woman and find her unappealing because of her age - then DON'T LOOK. Why be such a fucking asshole about it?
Bob - yep, they do! Thanks.
saqui - seriously. hello? filters? but amusing nonetheless.
Sandra - you and Bananapie seem to have said it pretty eloquently. Thank you! IC seemed to have missed the point anyway.
saqui - seriously. hello? filters? but amusing nonetheless.
Sandra - you and Bananapie seem to have said it pretty eloquently. Thank you! IC seemed to have missed the point anyway.
FYI, in case you didn't know--I.C. London is either a 12 year old boy, or mentally a 12 year old boy, who gets his jollies hanging around under staircases trying to look up women's skirts.
Pearls and high heels is practically my favorite outfit on a woman - especially mature. I think it's time to crank up an OS calendar already, what are we waiting for?
Leeandra - now that makes sense!
Duaneart - Only if you do the artwork. I bet that would look stunning. Everyone does a photo calendar - your drawings of the photography would be even better.
Duaneart - Only if you do the artwork. I bet that would look stunning. Everyone does a photo calendar - your drawings of the photography would be even better.
I'm obviously for it. As long as the women were willing, and the buyers are willing what is that charity thinking? The whole idea they wouldn't take the money is ridiculous.
Women of OS...why the heck not!!!
Women of OS...why the heck not!!!
those are some wonderful photos! i happened upon these last year and i had no idea leonard nimoy did such beautiful work. i'm so happy to see the huge variation in body photography projects.
http://www.leonardnimoyphotography.com/images/2/fullbody/Zz300.jpg
i kind of wonder what iclondon would think, but i have a feeling these beauties would just be wasted on the likes of him.
http://www.leonardnimoyphotography.com/images/2/fullbody/Zz300.jpg
i kind of wonder what iclondon would think, but i have a feeling these beauties would just be wasted on the likes of him.
wonderful post! thank you so much. i LOVE the original Calendar Girls, loved the movie, hate that they fractured after that but love that 6 are doing it again. they are so adorable with their strategically placed handbags and such. plus it's a chance to see how i'm doing in the breast sagging department. :) the humorless feminist crap/carp is jsut sad. lvoe lvoe love and gratitude for sharing this!
Buffy - I agree. Wish they had taken the money.
bstrangely - I remember the leonard nimoy photos. they were wonderful.
Teddy - good to see you! glad you liked the photos and the movie. great calendar, isn't it? it is too bad it got so political.
bstrangely - I remember the leonard nimoy photos. they were wonderful.
Teddy - good to see you! glad you liked the photos and the movie. great calendar, isn't it? it is too bad it got so political.
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